US8717098B2ActiveUtilityA1

High gain, high voltage power amplifier

Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Apr 9, 2012Filed: Jul 12, 2012Granted: May 6, 2014

Est. expiryApr 9, 2032(~5.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority

Inventors:Kevin Cawley

H03F 3/085H03F 2200/411H03F 3/3069H03F 3/211

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References

Claims

Abstract

An opto-isolated amplifier and method are disclosed. The amplifier includes an input node configured to receive an input to be amplified. A pair of opto-isolators are coupled between an input node and an output node. The opto-isolators are configured to create gain between the input node and the output node. An amplification stage is coupled to the opto-isolators. The amplification stage includes an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output. The opto-isolator outputs may be configured to generate a difference current. The input of the amplification stage may have a high impedance compared to an impedance at the output node, the difference current being directed at the high input impedance input of the amplification stage to generate a gained voltage.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified

What is claimed is:

1. An opto-isolated amplifier comprising:
an input node configured to receive an input to be amplified;
a pair of opto-isolators coupled between an input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to create gain between the input node and the output node; and
an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output
wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current that is directed into the input of the amplification stage.

2. The amplifier of claim 1 , further comprising an input amplifier configured to receive the input to be amplified and having an output coupled to the input node.

3. An opto-isolated amplifier comprising:
an input node configured to receive an input to be amplified;
a pair of opto-isolators coupled between an input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to create gain between the input node and the output node; and
an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output;
wherein each opto-isolator has an input diode that conducts an input diode current based on the input voltage, the input diodes being configured in a series configuration joined at the input node, wherein the input voltage sets a difference current between the two input diodes.

4. The amplifier of claim 3 , wherein each opto-isolator has an output configured as a current source and having a current that is a gained value based on the corresponding input diode current.

5. The amplifier of claim 3 , wherein the input diodes are coupled to the input node via current setting resistors.

6. The amplifier of claim 3 , wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current that is directed into the input of the amplification stage.

7. The amplifier of claim 1 , wherein the amplification stage is a unity gain amplifier.

8. The amplifier of claim 1 , wherein the amplification stage includes a class A/B amplifier.

9. The amplifier of claim 1 , wherein the input of the amplification stage has a high impedance compared to an impedance at the output node.

10. An opto-isolated amplifier comprising:
an input node configured to receive an input to be amplified;
a pair of opto-isolators coupled between an input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to create gain between the input node and the output node; and
an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output;
wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current and wherein the input of the amplification stage has a high impedance compared to an impedance at the output node, the difference current being directed at the high input impedance input of the amplification stage to generate a gained voltage.

11. The amplifier of claim 1 , further comprising a feed forward capacitor coupled between the input node and the output node.

12. An opto-isolated amplification method comprising:
receiving an input to be amplified at an input node;
providing a pair of opto-isolators coupled between and input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to generate gain between the input node and the output node; and
providing an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output;
wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current that is directed into the input of the amplification stage.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising providing an input amplifier configured to receive the input to be amplified and having an output coupled to the input node.

14. An opto-isolated amplification method comprising:
receiving an input to be amplified at an input node;
providing a pair of opto-isolators coupled between and input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to generate gain between the input node and the output node; and
providing an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output;
wherein each opto-isolator has an input diode that conducts an input diode current based on the input voltage, the input diodes being configured in a series configuration joined at the input node, wherein the input voltage sets a difference current between the two input diodes.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein each opto-isolator has an output configured as a current source and having a current that is a gained value based on the corresponding input diode current.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the input diodes are coupled to the input node via current setting resistors.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current that is directed into the input of the amplification stage.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the amplification stage is a unity gain amplifier.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the amplification stage includes a class A/B amplifier.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the input of the amplification stage has a high impedance compared to an impedance at the output node.

21. An opto-isolated amplification method comprising:
receiving an input to be amplified at an input node;
providing a pair of onto-isolators coupled between and input node and an output node;
the opto-isolators being configured to generate gain between the input node and the output node; and
providing an amplification stage having an input coupled to the output node and an output configured to generate an amplified output;
wherein each opto-isolator has an output and the opto-isolator outputs are configured to generate a difference current and the wherein the input of the amplification stage has a high impedance compared to an impedance at the output node, the difference current being directed at the high input impedance input of the amplification stage to generate a gained voltage.

22. The amplifier of claim 14 , further comprising coupling a feed forward capacitor between the input node and the output node.

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